Third baseman Yoan Moncada and right-hander Jose Ruiz, speculated to be the two White Sox who tested positive for the coronavirus during their intake period of testing, were placed on the 10-day injured list Friday.
The Sox’ announcement didn’t specify the reasons why the players are on the IL. Teams are not required or permitted to if the coronavirus is the reason.
The players who tested positive were asymptomatic and must pass consecutive tests before being activated. Moncada and Ruiz have not been seen in camp since it opened last Friday when the Sox announced that two unnamed players tested positive.
“We cannot comment on the health status of individual players or employees regarding COVID-19, and the players involved requested privacy at this time related to their health situations,” the team said then.
Ruiz was on the bubble among relievers to make the pitching staff for Opening Day July 24 but Moncada emerged as one of the game’s best players last season. Danny Mendick, Andrew Romine and Leury Garcia are options at third if Moncada is not ready.
Cheslor Cuthbert, who had had trouble leaving Nicaragua and was late for the start of camp, returned to Chicago Thursday. Minor leaguers Yermin Mercedes, a catcher, and Andrew Vaughn, a first baseman, played third base in intrasquad games the last two days.
Keuchel perfect in intrasquad
Left-hander Dallas Keuchel started and retired all seven batters he faced in the White Sox’ intrasquad game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Keuchel struck out Adam Engel, Andrew Vaughn and Zack Collins.
“He could have went out there for another one,” said bench coach Joe McEwing, who is running the club while manager Rick Renteria is absent to attend a funeral in California. “It was great to see him out there. A lot of positives, a lot of groundballs. He’s progressing to where we are getting him where he needs to be.”
Tim Anderson, whoa
McEwing said shortstop Tim Anderson has done exercises to open his hips and increase flexibility “so he could bend more.”
“The way his body, his movements work, he is in a better position getting off the ball, fielding the ball, throwing the ball,” said McEwing, who works with the infielders. “The ball is coming out of his hands strong right now … and he’s like, ‘Joe, I’m only like 50 to 60 percent.’ And I was like ‘whoa.’ ’’
Anderson produced a ‘whoa’ in the intrasquad Friday, belting a home run to center field against Kelvin Herrera. Anderson also singled sharply to left against Jimmy Cordero.
FANtastic Faces sells out
FANtastic Faces, the cardboard cutouts of fans’ likenesses that will be displayed at Guaranteed Rate Field during the team’s opening homestand, sold out quickly.
More than 1,500 cardboard cutouts will fill seats for the opening three-game series against the Twins July 24-27. At $49 per, more than $55,000 in net proceeds was raised for White Sox Charities.
This and that
First baseman Jose Abreu homered against closer Alex Colome, who also struck out Luis Robert on three pitches, walked Yasmani Grandal and retired Eloy Jimenez and Nomar Mazara in the intrasquad.
*Bullpen right-hander Jimmy Codero pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no walks.
